**“Sam Petitto Departs Ohio State for LSU — Buckeyes’ Assistant AD of Player Personnel to Lead Scouting and Strategy for Tigers”**

Sam Petitto’s departure from Ohio State marks a significant shift in the ever-evolving world of college football personnel management, as he now embarks on a new chapter with LSU. After serving as the Buckeyes’ Assistant Athletic Director of Player Personnel, Petitto is leaving Columbus to take on the role of Director of Scouting and Personnel Strategy for the Tigers. His transition represents not just a career move for one of college football’s rising behind-the-scenes strategists, but also a larger narrative about how elite programs continue to refine the infrastructure that supports on-field success. LSU’s hiring of Petitto is a deliberate and calculated investment in one of the sport’s top minds in player evaluation, relationship building, and long-term roster construction. For a program that is always eyeing national titles, bringing in someone with Petitto’s pedigree is a clear message: LSU is doubling down on talent acquisition and strategic vision.

Petitto’s impact at Ohio State cannot be overstated. In a program consistently competing for Big Ten championships and College Football Playoff berths, his behind-the-scenes work was critical. Tasked with identifying future Buckeyes and helping to shape the pipeline of talent that would carry the program forward, he proved to be a sharp evaluator, an elite communicator, and someone with a keen understanding of the modern recruiting landscape. Working in lockstep with coaches, analysts, and recruiting staff, Petitto was integral in ensuring that Ohio State remained among the top national recruiters. He brought not only a deep football acumen but also a well-connected presence that resonated with high school programs, families, and player mentors. The results were clear in the Buckeyes’ consistently elite recruiting classes and their ability to reload year after year. It’s that track record which has now earned him an expanded role with LSU, where he’ll have the chance to shape not just recruiting outcomes but the broader personnel philosophy of one of the SEC’s most powerful programs.

LSU head coach Brian Kelly and athletic director Scott Woodward clearly see Petitto as a foundational piece of the Tigers’ future. The title of Director of Scouting and Personnel Strategy is no ceremonial tag — it speaks to a broad remit that includes talent evaluation, long-term roster building, identifying under-the-radar prospects, managing the flow of information within the recruiting operation, and helping LSU stay ahead in the increasingly competitive world of NIL, transfer portal maneuvering, and early identification of prospects. In short, Petitto is expected to be the architect behind the talent acquisition machine. And in the SEC, where championships are won as much in the offseason as on the field, this hire sends a signal that LSU is not content to rest on past laurels. The Tigers are building something that demands top-tier vision and execution across every facet of the football organization, and Petitto will now be central to that mission.

For Petitto, this move represents a homecoming of sorts and a return to his southern roots. Though he made his mark at Ohio State, his previous stops at Alabama and Georgia Southern have already embedded him into the Southeastern recruiting world. His deep familiarity with the territory — the coaches, the programs, the culture — makes him an ideal fit at LSU. This isn’t someone who will need time to get acclimated or build new relationships from scratch. He already has the credibility, the rapport, and the track record that make him instantly impactful. That matters in today’s game, where the speed of recruiting is relentless and the margin for error is razor-thin. LSU didn’t just hire a talented personnel man — they hired someone who understands how to operate and thrive within the SEC’s unique environment.

Ohio State, meanwhile, now faces the challenge of replacing someone who had become an institutional asset. While the Buckeyes are flush with talented staff and resources, the departure of Petitto will leave a gap that won’t be easy to fill. His ability to evaluate talent early and accurately, his connection to recruits and high school coaches, and his internal leadership were all critical components of Ohio State’s personnel strategy. His loss will be felt both in the short-term and long-term, especially as the Buckeyes continue to battle elite programs for national recruiting supremacy. The timing also adds complexity, as this move comes during a pivotal stretch of the recruiting cycle when commitments are being locked in, evaluations are ongoing, and strategic planning is in full swing. It’s not just about finding someone to take over the title — it’s about finding someone who can operate with the same level of precision, insight, and influence that Petitto brought to the role.

This move also underscores a larger trend in college football — the elevation of behind-the-scenes roles into front-line positions of strategic importance. As the sport has evolved with the advent of NIL, the transfer portal, and more complex recruiting timelines, schools are increasingly investing in top-level personnel talent. The days of recruiting being solely the domain of assistant coaches are long gone. Now, full departments are built around evaluation, scouting, and planning, with people like Petitto playing key roles in shaping the trajectory of powerhouse programs. LSU’s decision to create a role specifically focused on both scouting and strategy reflects this new era. They are betting that by empowering smart, experienced minds with broader mandates, they can gain a competitive edge. And with Petitto, they’re banking on a proven winner who knows how to deliver results.

For Petitto personally, this role offers not just a step up in responsibility but a platform to influence a program at the highest level. LSU, with its rich history, passionate fan base, fertile recruiting base, and national visibility, is a dream job for many. Petitto now gets to help mold the Tigers’ roster in his image — targeting not just the top players, but the right players who fit LSU’s culture, system, and long-term plan. Whether it’s building through high school prospects, leveraging the transfer portal, or navigating the chaos of NIL-influenced recruiting, he’ll be at the helm of those decisions. And he’ll do it with the full support of a coaching staff and administration that believes deeply in his vision.

His ability to balance traditional scouting with modern analytics, to foster trust with young athletes and their families, and to build consensus within a coaching staff makes him uniquely suited for this challenge. He’s a connector, a strategist, and a relentless worker — and those are exactly the qualities LSU will need to compete in an SEC landscape that includes behemoths like Alabama, Georgia, and Texas. As the Tigers push for not just conference dominance but national championships, having someone like Petitto in charge of the talent strategy is not just an asset — it’s a necessity.

While Buckeye Nation may feel a sense of loss, there’s also an understanding that Petitto’s talents were always going to make him a sought-after figure in college football. He has risen through the ranks the right way — through dedication, performance, and an unshakable belief in the value of hard work behind the scenes. His legacy at Ohio State will endure in the form of the players he helped bring in, the systems he helped refine, and the professionalism he modeled every day.

Now at LSU, he steps into a role that is both a reward and a new proving ground. It’s a chance to take everything he’s learned and apply it in a new setting, with new challenges, and even higher stakes. But if his track record is any indication, Sam Petitto is more than ready for what lies ahead. And if LSU’s recent moves are any sign, the Tigers are building something special — and they just added a crucial piece to the foundation.